Template synthesis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) minigels using interconnecting macroporous polystyrene

Thermosensitive uniform-sized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) minigels with diameters of several micrometers were synthesized by a double template method using silica particles as original molds. The first template composed of the silica particles produced a macroporous polystyrene as the second template to decide the shape and the size of the minigels. The resultant minigels in the second template covalently interconnect with each other. After the minigels were collapsed in each compartment of the macroporous polystyrene, the separated minigel particles were obtained.